Replace your toothbrush about every three months, after you’ve been sick, or when you notice fraying bristles.

Brushing your teeth properly is your best defense against tooth decay and gum disease. As lives get busy, it’s easy to cut corners to save a few minutes, but when it comes to your smile cutting corners can cause big problems. Are you making any of these common teeth brushing mistakes?

Poor Teeth Brushing Technique

Learning how to brush your teeth properly is one of the most important aspects of good oral hygiene. When you brush your teeth, you remove the bacteria and plaques that attack your tooth enamel. Just rubbing a brush over those pearly whites is not going to have the desired effect.

Make sure you are brushing all surfaces. Cover inside, outside, and all chewing surfaces of your teeth.

Be thorough but don’t scrub too hard.

Don’t forget to brush your tongue to remove any harmful bacteria and help fight bad breath.

Bad Timing for Teeth Brushing

Knowing when to brush your teeth is equally important. You should brush at least twice per day. Incorporate brushing into your evening routine (right before you go to bed) and at least one other time per day. Here are some tips for selecting a good time for teeth brushing.

Some people like to start the day with brushing their teeth. It’s a good opportunity to perform some self-care and go over your to-do list for the day.

If you eat or drink something acidic, brush before instead of after. Acidic foods and drinks can weaken tooth enamel so if you brush too soon after ingesting them, you might brush away some of your enamel.

Not Brushing Your Teeth Long Enough

Speaking of timing, do you know how long to brush your teeth? When you’re in a rush, it can be tempting to do a quick thirty second brush, but that’s not going to be effective. You should brush your teeth for about two minutes to be thorough. If you’re having a tough time gauging that two-minute mark, set a timer on your phone or try listen to a song that’s about that long.

Forgetting to Replace Your Toothbrush

Be honest, how long have you had your current toothbrush? If you can’t remember the last time you replaced it, it’s definitely time for a new toothbrush. You should get a new toothbrush every three months, after you’ve been sick, or when you notice the bristles fraying.

Preserve Your Smile

Keeping your gorgeous smile intact with good oral care prevents the build-up of bad bacteria that can affect your overall health. Whether you prefer a cheap, classic brush from the grocery store or opt for something powered, it’s important to exercise good teeth brushing habits.